Apparatus for making tiles



Nov. 18, 1930.

J. W. THOMAS APPARATUS FOR MAKING TILES Filed July 24, 1928 3Sheets-Sheet 1 m oz mvamoa Q J- m 77100145 m w ATTORNEY J. w. THOMASAPPARATUS FOR MAKING TILES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 24, 1928INVENTOR. J.

um Lllllllllll' m THOMAS ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 18, 1930. J. w. THOMAS APPARATUS FOR MAKING TILES Filed July 24,1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORL J n: 7740mm ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 18,1930 UNITED sures.

"P ENT-if QFFICE 1 mm w. THOMAS, E DAISY, TENNESSEE, A SIGNOR 'ro-B-MIFFLIN noon muck COMPANY, or DAISY, TENNESSEE, A coaroaarron 0ETENNESSEE ABPAR'ATUS on MAKIlING application m d-Jul 24,

This invention is an improvement in appa- 7 wise formed to shape byextrusion through a die, The formed tiles are then baked, and beforebaking it is necessary, or at least desirable, that nailholes-be formedin the tiles, to enable them to be secured-to a building.

One of the primary objects of the'p-resent invention is the'p-rovisionof an apparatus" enabling the formation of a continuous tubularstructure embodying a number of formed sheets, which structure may beseparated transversely into suitable lengths, which after'bakingmay beeasily separated into the several tiles by which it is constituted.

Another object is theprovision of a composite tile structure, composedof a plurality of similar tiles connected in such manner so that stressapplied to the structure in a certain manner will separate it into thecomponent tiles. Another'object is the provision of a die especiallyadapted for; producing the tubular. structure and for partiallyseparating the individual tile sheets of the'structure, so that when thestructure is cut into lengths, each, length will be partially separatedinto a pluralityo f individual tiles. Y

Another object is the provision as an article ofmanufacture, of astructure containing a plurality of substantially fiat tiles similar andequal in superficial area, and partially separated so thatthestructuremay be easily brokeirinto the component parts. 7

ith these and other objects in viewthe invention consists in. theconstruction and novel combination of parts fully described hereinafter,illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointedout in theclaimsappendqg hh ereto, it being understood that w 1928., si l-a1 no,29$,i0i,

rious'changes in the form, proportion, size and minor detailso'fconstruction Within the scope of the claims, be resortedtowithoutdeparting fromthe spirit'of the invention. Inthe drawings forming aparthereof Fig. 1 is-an end View of the improved machine. e Fig. 2 isaside View.

IFig.'3 is a front view of the die.

Fig l is ahorizontal section on the line of perforators, v

5 is a transverse, vertical section on the line of the perforatingmechanism;

, The present embodiment ofthe invention is shown in connection with apart of a tile making machine indicated at 1, of usual construction,forgrinding, temperingand extruding a tubular structure of plasticmaterial, such as clay of substantially rectangular cross sec tion,capable of being separated into suitable,

lengths, andso formed that after baking, the individual lengths may beeasily separated into a plurality of flat tiles, each provided withopenings for securing means, such for instance as nails or screws. 1 I

Q A special'form' of die is provided for shaping the plastic material asit is' extruded from the machine. This die as shown in Fig.

3, comprises a frame 2 secured to a suitable die plate 3,Whichis'connected to the outlet of the machine.v The frame isprovidedwith a plurality of vertically extending plates 4, which arearranged parallel with the sides of the frame, and in spaced relationwith respect thereto and each other. Thus the-improveddie is shapedto'form a tubular structure of rectangular cross section having twovertical partitions, it being understood that theplates' lhave theirends-spaced from the top andjbottom from the frame.

Blades 5 and 6 arearranged at the ends of the plates 4 and atthe topsand bottoms of extend into the passage through which the clayise'xtrude'd. The? arrangement is such the sides ofthe frame 2,and thesaid blades that when the tubular structure is forced through the die,there will be lines of partial separation at the tops and bottoms of theside walls, and at the tops and bottoms of the partitions. This enablesthe structure to be separated into individual tiles, after it has beencut into lengths and baked.

The structure 7 of plastic material ex truded from the machine passesover a sup portin roller 8 j ournaled in a bracket 9 connected with thebed plate 3, and over a fixed table 10, which extends a suitabledistance to support several individual lengths of the structure, and maybe as long as is necessary or desirable. Mechanism for cutting thestructure into suitable lengths, and perforating mechanism for providingopenings in the side walls of the partitions is arranged adjacent thetable, and is mounted to move with respect thereto, with the movingstructure,

during the cutting and perforating and to be returned to normal positionafter such operations. The support for the cutting and perforatingmechanism consists of bed-plates 11' spaced apart longitudinally of thetable, each having connected therewith and depend ing therefrom a shoe12.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will ,be seen that the underfaces of the shoes12 are concave so that stops 13 are formed at each end of said surfaces,and the shoes engage grooved rollers 14, which run upon thesimilar shoes15, supported by threaded stems 16, j ournaled in base members 17' onthe supporting surface for the machine. The stems 16 are verticallyadjustable, by means of wheel nuts 18, which bear-at their lower ends onthe base members 17. Thus the height of the table, which is supported bythe stems, may be changed. Rollers 19 are journaled at opposite sides ofthe table 10, near the roller 8, and serve also to support and guide thestructure, the rollers being journaled on the vertical axes at oppositesides of the structure.

Standards 20 extend upwardly from the inner ends of the bed plates, andthe standards are'conneoted at theirtops by a shaft 21, each standardhaving abearingfor-the adjacent end of the shaft. A wheel frame issupported between thestandards with its 'axis'at about the level ofthebed. The wheel includes a paid of rings 23, one ring being adjacent eachstandard, and the rings are connected at suitable intervals by rods24,40 1]: rods being provided in the present instance.

' 'The frame is supported and guided in its rotating movement, by meansof{ grooved rollers and 26, the'rings engaging the grooves of therollers. The roller 25.0'f .each set ,is

j ournaled on the, adjacent standard 20, and

the rollers 26 are ournaled at the ends of the of each set are arrangedat angularintervals of 120, so that the frame has perfect sup port inits rotating movement.

Cutting wires 28 are supported by the frame, the said wires beingconnected at their ends to levers 29, which are pivoted on rockers 30 onthe rods 24. Each of the rockers, as shown in Fig. 1, is pivotedintermediate its ends, and the lever 29 which is also pivotedintermediate its ends, has its pivotal mounting 31 in substantial radialalinement with the pivotal mounting 32 of the adjacent rocker; l l

The cutting wire is connected with one end of the lever, and the otherend is provided with a screw 33 pivoted to the lever,and-"pass'-ing-through an opening in the-adjacent end of the rocker. A spring 34encircles the screw between the rocker and a nut 35 threaded onto thescrew. This arrangement enables the tension of the spring, andthe'tensionofthe cutting wires to be varied. A

set of, two rockers and two, levers is provided for each wire, the setsbeing spaced apart at 120, and the wires pass over grooved wheels 36,which are mounted on a shaft 37 journaled inthe standards at the axisofthe frame. It will be apparent from the description that whenzthe frameis rotated, the cutting Wires will be passed through the tubularstructure on the table 10, thus cutting it into, suitable lengths,the-wires being spaced apart from each otheria distance-to provide thedesired lengths. I a q a I The table 10 and associated parts move withthe tubular structure-as it is being extruded from the maehine,moving onthe rollers 14.: A treadle 38.is provided for moving the table andassociatedparts in one direction, tl1at is, toward the machine, and themoving structure moves it' in the opposite direction, thewires-being'engaged with the structure at this time. The treadle isrigid with an arm 39, which is connected by alink 40 with the adj acent'bed platell, and it will be apparent that when the table and associatedparts move with the structure away from away from the'machine, thetreadle will be lifted. As soon as the cutting is complete and the wiresdisengaged from the structure, pressure on the treadle will return theparts to the position of Fig. 2.

by the sidewalls, and two by thepartitions,

andall of the tiles are of the same width, the top and bottom walls ofthe structure being of the same width as the width of the parti. tionsand the side walls between the top and bottom walls. In order 'toprovide complete tiles ready for attachmentafter baking and separating,it .is desirable-that all ofthe tiles be provided with openings forsecuring means, suchv as nails or screws, and that the tiles.

respectively.

Mechanism is provided for simultaneously perforating the top and bottomwalls, side walls and partitions. Since two lengths are separated fromthe structure at each operation of the cutting wires, the wire remotefrom the die serving as a guide for the cuttingby its register with theend of the structure,'two mechanisms are providedfor perforating, thesaid mechanisms being shown more particularly in Figs. 1, 4 and 5.

The said mechanism includes a pair of U- shaped frames 41 and 42, one,41, being arranged adjacent the shaft 37, while the other 42 is at theopposite side of the structure. Each of these frames includes a bodyextending parallel with the adjacent side wall of the structure and armswhich have guided movement in a substantially U-shaped frame 43supported by the table 10. Each framec'arri'esa pair of perforating pins44, which are of alength to pierce the adjacent side walls, and'theadjacent partition of the structure when the frames 41 and 42 are movedtoward each other. V

Other pins 45 are provided for piercing the'top andbottom walls, thesaid pins being connected with supports 46." The pins 45 have g'iiidedmovement in the top of the frame 43, in the table 10, and insubstantially U -shaped brackets 47, secured to the upper crossbar ofthe frame 43, and to' the'table Each of the frames 41 and-42 is providedwith a cam for operating one of the elements '46. The cam 48 connectedwith; the frame 41 operates the pins which extend through the table, andthe cam 49"connected with the frame 42, operates the pins which piercethe top ofthe structure. These cams as shown in ;F ig; V 4, aresubstantially U- shaped' in' form, with the body thereof arranged at anincline, and the body ofeach cam is longitudinally slotted forengagement bya wrist pin 50 on the adjacent bar 46.

The cam plates move with the frames 41 and 42 respectively, and it willbe apparent from the description that when the frames 41 and 42 aremoved toward each other the elements 46 will be also moved toward eachother, while when the frames 41 and 42 move away from each other, the"elements 46 will be moved with them. That is, the four sets of pinsoperate simultaneously.v The arms of'the frames 41 and 42 have uidedmovement in the top member of the rame43, and in guides 51 dependingfrom the table.

The frames 41 and 42 are operated by the wheel frame previouslymentioned. bracket 52 extends from the shaft 37 in oppo: site directionto the'table, and a three arm vrocker is pivoted to each bracket 52.Each of the rockers is T-shap'ed as shown, the body portion thereofbeingconnected by links 53 30 and a lever 29; In the normal inoperativeposition of'the wheel. frame, oneendit of the cutting wire is directlyabove the shaft 37, (Fig. 1) and in this position the lugs 56' are atapproximately the same level and at opposite sides of the shaft 37 Theshaft 37 is as shown in Fig.' 1, polygonal in crosssec tion,and doesnot'rotat'e, so thatthe brack ets 52 are held in the position sho'wntheoperation of the device, when acut is tobe made, the wire28 remotefromthe die is alined jwith the last'cutf'mad'e in the structure,and-the wheel is rotated,'-cjausing the remaining wires to cuttransversely of the structure. As the wheel frame moves from theposition of'Fig. 1,the lug 56 at the left engages the cam block 55,swings the rocker '54, and moves all of the; pins toward the structure,providing openings in each of the individual tilesgAs soon as-th'e lug56passes the cam -b-lock,'a;"spring 58arran'ged between the rocker and theadjacent bed plate 11 returns the pins to normal" inoperative position.

The lugs 56 on the return movement of the wheelframe. The rockers 80 areadjustable on the rods24, each .rockeri'having a split bearing, which iscranked on theshaft' by" a bolt nut 59. It will be apparent from thedescription that each-length of the tubular structure'is constituted bysix or more similar fiat-dies, and

that this number might be more or less if' desired, as for instance,five or seven. The cutting and perforating mechanismtravels with thetubular structure when in operation, so that there is no hindrance tothecontinuous movement ofthe structure.- The cutting a wires are resilientto acertain extent longi tudinally, because of the spring mounting 34,and the tension ofnthe springs may-be adjusted when desired. 1'

I What'is claimedas new is 1. In a tile making machine, the combina tionwith a die shaped: to form' a substantially rectangular. tubularstructure having vertical partitions parallel with opposite side walls,the structure partially sep-arated at" the junction of the partitionsandthe side walls with the top and bottom walls'to enable easy separationofthe walls and partitions into individualtiles after baking, means'moving with the structure forcutting it will pass the cam blockstransverselyinto similar lengths, and means moving therewith forperforating all of the walls and partitions to provide openings for nailholes.

2. In a tile making machine, the combination with-a die shaped to form asubstantially rectangular tubular structure having vertical partitionsparallel with opposite side walls, the structure partially separated atthe junction of the partitions and the side walls with the top andbottoinwalls to enable easy separation of the walls and partitionsinto'individualtiles' after baking, means moving with the structure forcutting it transversely into similar lengths, and means operated therebyfor providing all of the walls and partitions with a plurality ofopenings, and with the openings of all of the walls and partitionssimilarly placed. 1

3'. In a tile making machine, the combination with a die shaped to forma substantially rectangular tubular structure having vertical partitionsparallel withopposite side Walls, thestructure partially separated atthe i junction of the partitions and the side walls with the top andbottom walls to' enable easy separation of the walls and partitions intoindividual tiles after baking,means moving with the structure forcutting it transversely into similar lengths, and means operated therebyfor providing all ofthe wallsv and partitions with a plurality ofopenings, and with the openings of all of the walls and partitionssimilarly placed, said means including a plurality of pairs of pins,each pair mounted to move toward and from a side wall of the structure,and of a length at theside walls'to traverse the partitions. '3'

4. In a tile making 'machine, the combination with a die shaped to form,a'substantially rectangular tubular structure having vertical partitionsparallel "with opposite side walls, the structure partially separated atthe junction ofthe partitions and the side walls with the top and bottomwalls'to enable easy separation of the walls and parti- V tions intoindividual tiles after baking, means moving with the structure forcutting it transversely intosimilar lengths, means moving therewith" forperforating all of the walls and partitions 'to provide openings fornail -holes,and a common support forthe cutting and perforating means.

5; In a tile making machine, the combination with a die shaped to form asubstantially rectangular tubular structure having vertical partitionsparallel with opposite side walls, the structure partially separated atthe June tion of the partitions and-the side walls with the top andbottom walls to-enable easy separation of the walls and partitions intoindividual tiles after baking, means moving with the structure forcutting it transversely into similar lengths, means moving therewith forperforating all-of the walls and par:

titions to provide openings for nail holes, a

common support for the cutting and per- '6. In a tile makingmachine, thecombination with a die shaped to form a substantially rectangulartubular structure having vertical partitions parallel with opposite sidewalls, the structure partially separated at the junction of thepartitions and the side walls with the-top and bottom walls to enableeasy separation of the walls and partitionsinto individual tiles afterbaking, means-moving with the structurefor cutting it transversel intosimilar lengths, means moving therewit for perforating all of the wallsand partitions to provide openings for nail holes, a common support forthecutting and perforating means, including spaced connected shoes,,.ashoe cooperating with each of the first named shoes, rollers between thecooperatingshoes, and meansfor adjusting said last named shoesvertically. I v In a tile making machine, in combination with a dieshaped to form a substantiallyrectangular tubular structure partiallyseparated at the junctions of the walls to enable easy separation intoindividual tiles after baking, means for cutting the structure intosimilar-lengths, means for perforating the walls of the structure toprovide openings-for and perforating means mounted to move with and tobemoved by the structure during the cuttingoperation, the cutting meansincluding a; frame mounted to rotate in the common support and havingspaced cutting wires for cutting the structure transversely, and meanswhereby the rotation of the frame will operatethe perforating means. 7 V

9. In a tile making machine, in combination with a die shaped to form asubstantially rectangular tubular structure partially separated at thejunctions of the walls to enable easy separation into individual tilesafter baking, means for cutting the struc ture into similar lengths,means for perforating the walls of the structure to provide openings fornail holes, and a common support for the cutting and'perforatingmeans 1to swing it in one direction.

10. In a t11e making machine, having a die shaped to form asubstantially rectangular tubular structure having partitions parallelwith opposite walls, and with the structure partially separated at thejunction of the partitions with the walls, and at the junction of thewall with each other to enable easy separation of the walls andpartitions into individual tiles after baking, a supporting table forthe structure over which the structure moves, and cutting andperforating mechanism for severing the structure into lengths and forperforating the walls and partitions mounted to move with the structure,and having means for returning the same to normal position. i Y

11. In a tile making machine, a die shaped to form a substantiallyrectangular tubular and partitions to provide openings for nailstructure having partitions parallel with two of the opposite walls, andblades extending from the partitions and from the two opposite sideWalls at the ends thereof to partially separate the structure at thejunction of the partitions with the Walls, and at the junctiallyrectangular tubular structure partially separated at the junctions ofthe walls to enable easy separation into individual tiles after baking,means for cutting the structure into similar lengths, and means forperforating the walls of the structure to provide openings for nailholes, said cutting and perforating means being mounted to move with andto be moved by the structure during the 1 cutting operation. 7 I

Signed at Daisy in the county of'Hamilton and State of Tennessee this 20day of July,

A. D. 1928. I

' JOHN W. THOMAS.

tion of the walls with each other, to enable I easy separation of thewalls and partitions into individual tiles after baking.

12. In a tile making machine, the combination with a die shaped to forma substantially rectangular tubular structure having vertical partitionsparallel with opposite side Walls, the structure partially separated atthe junction of the partitions and the side walls with the top andbottomwalls to enable easy separation of the walls and partitions intoindividual tiles after baking, means for cutting it transversely intosimilar lengths, and means for perforating all of the walls holes. 7 V

13. In a tile making machine, in combination with a die shaped to form asubstantially rectangulartubular structure partially separated at thejunctions of the walls to enable easy separation into individual tilesafter baking, means for cutting the structure into similar lengths, andmeans for perforating the walls of the-structure to provide openings forn'ail'holes.

14. In a tile making machine, in combina Y tion with a die shaped toform a substan-

